diff --git a/devicemodel/hw/platform/ioc.c b/devicemodel/hw/platform/ioc.c
index 53f8d1087..10071abe4 100644
--- a/devicemodel/hw/platform/ioc.c
+++ b/devicemodel/hw/platform/ioc.c
@@ -1043,7 +1043,8 @@ ioc_parse(const char *opts)
 	snprintf(virtual_uart_path, sizeof(virtual_uart_path), "%s", param);
 	if (tmp != NULL) {
 		tmp = strtok(NULL, ",");
-		ioc_boot_reason = strtoul(tmp, 0, 0);
+		if (tmp != NULL)
+			ioc_boot_reason = strtoul(tmp, 0, 0);
 	}
 	free(param);
 	return 0;